Pics: Accidents in India

This is a discussion on Pics: Accidents in India within Road Safety, part of the Team-BHP category; Originally Posted by naveenroy
Nitpicking but isn't that "brakes"?
Hee hee, so much for any rumour of me being an ...

We were going at speeds of 70-80 behind a lorry and in an overtaking stance just waiting for an oncoming vehicle to pass to make our move. Suddenly, the lorry brakes really hard for no apparent reason (as I thought at first), in the middle of the highway. I saw the lorry brake hard and immediately tried to respond to it in my friend's Figo. I braked equally hard, stepped off the clutch to increase braking response. Did not try to swerve away since I doubted the vehicle might respond erratically and go out of control. With no space to make a maneuver, the Figo rear-ended the lorry.

Hi mate, Firstly, When you were driving at 70-80 kmph then where from the need to overtake came in? These impulsive reflexes can cost a fortune. Secondly, Keeping the speed in mind you should have kept adequate distance. Thirdly; Before over taking did you use the "headlight blinking" signal which means you are requesting the vehicle ahead of you to give side for overtaking?

Lastly, In my view the damage could have been much less if the truck had "under-run bars" installed in it. You can understand this concept by reading this link

Also, A big lesson to learn from the truck driver i.e One should keep a safe breaking distance from heavy vehicles both on city and highway roads. No matter whether it's a Ford or a Ferrari; one should be very particular about the driving rules because after the mishap no amount of blaming is of any use.

... ... ... One should keep a safe breaking distance from heavy vehicles both on city and highway roads.

Please make that all vehicles. Even cycles!

Quote:

No matter whether it's a Ford or a Ferrari; one should be very particular about the driving rules because after the mishap no amount of blaming is of any use.

Very true. The tables of stopping distances are minimums, and there is no extra column with different numbers for expensive cars or rich drivers. A Ferrari doesn't help when the problem is that we haven't noticed, until too late, that the vehicle in front has braked, which happens, even to the best of us.

This happened while i was returning to Ranchi after purchasing this vehicle from kolkata. The part of journey through G T road was done by me. The car behaved and drove true to its potential. Great acceleration, terrific road manners, able to glide past bump and potholes easily. Great cruising ability at high speed, I had a feeling as if a hot knife is gliding through butter.

From Dhanbad my driver took over. We had dinner there. I was in the rear seat and my cousin in co-passenger seat. I fell asleep sometime around midnight.

I woke up around 1.30 am, by that time accident had occurred. I could not recall for a few moments what had happened. I saw my vehicle lying some 30 mt down the road. My driver was thrown some 10 feet from the car. My cousin was lying on the floor of car with a broken neck.

Driver died on the spot. God saved me, I had only a few bruises. At present case is in consumer court as I could not get compensation for total loss.

This duster gone so bad. It is very difficult to trust drivers on newer cars. I have no trust on any of the driver that too on long drives. It seems driver slept on wheel and car went to ditch or off the road.

Oh dear! That's a very sad sight. I wonder if his cousin who was in the co-driver's seat dozed off as well.

Night drives are best avoided. If it is unavoidable, it is best to drive slowly to be on the safer side and engage into some random conversations with the co-driver so the driver wouldn't fall asleep. If the driver complains of tiredness/fatigue, a stopover at a roadside restaurant/dhaba and a quick 20-minute nap - never hurts. A cup of tea will be refreshing as well. Given a choice, I'd never opt to drive at night.

Good to know you are safe. Night driving has its own share of problems. The glare from the headlights of the vehicles in the opposite direction can be taxing. If the driver has not had proper rest, i would advise take multiple breaks and let the co passenger engage the driver in talks so that he does not fall asleep at the wheels.
Last but not the least travel in the night only if it is absolutely necessary.